Santa headed to Wolfeboro for parade

Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus arrive in Wolfeboro on Saturday, Nov. 24, during the Christmas in Wolfeboro Parade. The parade starts at 3 p.m in downtown Wolfeboro, and is followed by the Christmas Tree lighting. (FILE)

WOLFEBORO - Santa Claus really is coming to town.

Santa Claus and his missus arrive on motorized sleigh at 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24 during the annual Christmas in Wolfeboro parade on Main Street. The town's Christmas tree lighting ceremony takes place after the parade.

Mr. and Mrs. Claus will open up Santa's Hut at the entrance to Cate Park on Main Street, where Santa will hold visiting hours daily through Dec. 24.

The Wolfeboro Area Chamber of Commerce presents the Christmas in Wolfeboro Parade.

Besides Santa's arrival, spectators will see many of the new, giant First Night Wolfeboro puppets, hand made by members of the Governor Wentworth Arts Council and four 12-year-old girls from the local area.

Jerome Holden, who is in charge of the First Night Wolfeboro puppets, said many but not all of the newly hand-made puppets will strut their stuff down Main Street on Saturday. Other puppets should be ready for the First Night Wolfeboro parade on Dec. 31.

Holden said the puppets include eight- to 10-foot characters with seasonal themes, a duck, a unicorn and six smaller Jack-in-the-Box puppets for younger kids.

Elsewhere in town on the same day, two groups are hosting large craft fairs.

Holiday craft fairs will be held at the American Legion Harriman-Hale Post 18 on Center Street from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the Kingswood campus on South Main Street, also from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For those who want to keep their hands busy, Spider Web Gardens in nearby Center Tuftonboro will hold a special Balsam Wreath or Swag Workshop earlier in the day, starting at 10 a.m. The shop is located at 252 Middle Road. For more information about Spider Web or the event, call 569-3608 or visit www.spiderwebgardens.com.

For the younger crowd, the Wolfeboro Area Children's Center will host a Children's Christmas Craft-Making Fair at 11:30 a.m. at the Area Children's Center, 180 South Main St. Call 569-1027 for more information.